Wael Ghonim

Wael Ghonim
Graham Hancock · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Wael Ghonim
Birth date	December 23, 1980
Birth place	Cairo, Egypt
Nationality	Egyptian
Occupation	Computer scientist, Activist

Wael Ghonim is a renowned Egyptian computer scientist and activist who played a pivotal role in the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, which was heavily influenced by the Tunisian Revolution and the Arab Spring. Ghonim's activism was inspired by the Khaled Said case, which was widely reported by Al Jazeera and BBC News. His efforts were also supported by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who closely monitored the Egyptian government's response to the protests. Ghonim's work was also influenced by the ideas of Gene Sharp and the Albert Einstein Institution.

● Early Life and Education

Ghonim was born in Cairo, Egypt, and spent his early years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where his father worked as an engineer at ADNOC. He later moved to Cairo and attended Cairo American College, where he developed an interest in computer science and technology. Ghonim then pursued his higher education at Cairo University, where he earned a degree in computer science and later moved to the United States to pursue his Master's degree at Columbia University. During his time at Columbia University, Ghonim was exposed to the ideas of Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, which further shaped his views on politics and social justice. He also became familiar with the work of Edward Said and the Palestinian solidarity movement.

● Career

Ghonim began his career as a marketing executive at Google in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he worked on Google Middle East and North Africa's marketing campaigns. He later moved to Egypt and became the head of marketing at Google Egypt. Ghonim's work at Google allowed him to develop his skills in social media and online marketing, which he later used to promote his activism and political views. He was also influenced by the work of Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the co-founders of Google, and the company's Don't be evil motto. Ghonim's career was also shaped by his interactions with Vint Cerf and Tim Berners-Lee, who are considered the fathers of the Internet.

● Activism and Politics

Ghonim's activism began with the creation of a Facebook page called We Are All Khaled Said, which was dedicated to the Khaled Said case and became a rallying point for Egyptian activists. The page was widely followed by Egyptians and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Ghonim's activism was also influenced by the April 6 Youth Movement and the Muslim Brotherhood, which played a significant role in the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. He worked closely with Ahmed Maher and Asmaa Mahfouz, who were key figures in the April 6 Youth Movement. Ghonim's efforts were also supported by Al Jazeera and BBC News, which provided extensive coverage of the Egyptian Revolution.

● Arrest and Release

On January 27, 2011, Ghonim was arrested by the Egyptian authorities and held in secret detention for 12 days. During his detention, Ghonim was interrogated by the Egyptian intelligence agency and was forced to reveal the passwords to his email and Facebook accounts. Ghonim's arrest sparked widespread international condemnation, with organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch calling for his release. He was eventually released on February 7, 2011, and continued to play a key role in the Egyptian Revolution. Ghonim's release was also covered by CNN and The New York Times, which highlighted the human rights abuses committed by the Egyptian government.

● Later Life and Work

After the Egyptian Revolution, Ghonim continued to work as an activist and writer. He published a book called Revolution 2.0, which chronicles his experiences during the Egyptian Revolution. Ghonim also founded a non-profit organization called Nahdet El Mahrousa, which aims to promote democracy and human rights in Egypt. He has also worked with organizations such as the National Endowment for Democracy and the Ford Foundation to promote democracy and human rights in the Middle East. Ghonim's work has been recognized by institutions such as the Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley, which have invited him to speak about his experiences as an activist.

● Awards and Recognition

Ghonim has received numerous awards and recognition for his activism and work. He was named one of the Time 100 most influential people in the world in 2011 and received the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Ghonim has also received the Georgetown University's Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for Advancing Women in Peace and Security and the University of Michigan's Wallenberg Medal. His work has been recognized by institutions such as the Nobel Peace Prize committee and the European Parliament, which have acknowledged his contributions to democracy and human rights. Ghonim's activism has also been recognized by figures such as Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, who have praised his efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the Middle East.